HBO series on Asian American actors features Veronica Reyes-How

HBO has unveiled the fifth installment of its documentary series “East of Main Street: Taking the Lead,” showcasing a select group of Asian Americans in various stages of their movie and television careers.

The series is being aired in celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. It features interviews with performers such as Korean-born Daniel Dae Kim; actress-model Lucy Liu, who was born to Chinese immigrant parents; Indian-American comedian Aasif Mandvi; and New York-based Filipino-American actress and casting director Veronica Reyes-How.

Reyes-How writes about the experience in her blog: “A couple months ago, I was asked to be a part of an HBO documentary featuring up-and-coming Asian actors & actresses – at least that was how it was pitched to me. I felt pretty honored to be a part of it…It was a huge honor, and made me ABSOLUTELY terrified.”

Her television credits include “Blue Bloods,” “Person of Interest,” and the “Black List.” She was also asked to be a part of the group of actors in the ABC diversity showcase.

As a theater actress, she has performed in the national tours of “Rent,” the “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” and “Miss Saigon,” and acted under the direction of Academy Award winner Estelle Parsons, and multiple Tony Award winner James Lapine.

Her commercial credits are just as varied. She has appeared in commercials promoting Cici’s Pizza, Chef Boyardee, and Jefferson University Hospitals.

Born and raised in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Reyes-How graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics.

She explained to The FilAm how her career detoured into acting: “Out of college, I got a job as a technology consultant and then realized that I was working long hours at a job, making great money and still wasn’t happy. So I took a chance and left my job to go audition for the national tour of ‘Rent’ and six months later I got the job and that’s what kicked off my career.”

Her parents are both Filipino. Her father was born in Manila and her mother in Samar. “My mom is mestiza as she has Spanish, British, Native American and Chinese blood,” she said.

She is married to Canadian actor and writer Bradford How.

The HBO series also casts BD Wong, Russell Wong, Lucille Soong, Jimmy O. Yang, Melanie Kannokada, Dennis Oh, Sheetal Sheth, Raymond J. Lee, Nivedita Kulkarni, Tobias Wong, Michelle Goike, and Katarina Zhu.

The series is produced and directed by Jonathan Yi. Louis Tancredi and Chrissie Hines are the executive producers.

“East of Main Street” is available on HBO On Demand, HBO GO, and HBONOW.